Brooks lines up reasons why Dolan could be a difference-maker in those hypothetical meetings, most notably that the Rangers generate the league’s second-most revenue and profits behind the Toronto Maple Leafs.

One might have the instinct to believe that Dolan would be pleased that Bettman wouldn’t be in attendance; the two powerful individuals most notably butted heads regarding the team’s Web site in 2007.

Brooks writes it might be more important is that Dolan – also owner of the New York Knicks – was a helpful factor in ending the NBA’s lockout, though.

The source familiar with Dolan’s thinking told The Post Dolan believes his relationship with the commissioner is immaterial given his substantial role in brokering an agreement between NBA owners and NBA players that ended that league’s 2011-12 lockout last Dec. 8 and allowed for a 66-game season to commence on Christmas Day.

Either way, two things must happen for Dolan to be involved: the NHLPA must agree to meet and Bettman would need to OK Dolan’s inclusion.

Still, it’s interesting to note that a big market owner might just help end this thing – assuming that’s what he would push for, of course.

I still think nhl will pick will be ed snider. although he’s hawk like bettman he has more to lose in this situation because of comcast/nbc relationship. plus the players like him around the league and that article that he denied showed that he has a different philosophy than jacobs.

I agree joey… I think Bettman is WAY to much of control freak to allow this to happen as it should happen. He would limit who gets to be in the meeting and moreover he would stifle any possible decent before they would be allowed in. When it should be ALL the owners with the assurance that ALL the owners can speak to the issues, not just a few owners who are like minded to Bettman. I’ve said this before and again I may be alone here, but I don’t think many of the owners are OK with still having this lockout on the sticking points that still exist. I think many of them see a deal to be made here without the owners giving in to much.

stakex - Dec 1, 2012 at 7:45 PM

Yes, because Bettman suggested something he never wants to happen. That makes a ton of sense….. in fantasy land.

Seriously, theres a lot of reason to hate Bettman (almost all of which is pre-lockout btw), but none of your statement makes any sense and is simple Bettman bashing for the sake of doing it.

richter35lundqvist30 - Dec 1, 2012 at 11:37 PM

@Stake with all the Rhetoric you can’t rule out him throwing out the idea just for a positive PR spin after the mediation disaster knowing it will never happen unless its on his terms.

Yeah stakex its not like Bettman ever did anything to undermine the majority of the owners… how many votes does he need to do anything again??? Hmmm, thats right not a majority… Yup he’s never ever been shown to be a control freak about anything… What can the owners say about the lockout openly?? How much can Bettman fine his BOSSES?? Nice try man!

Actually, owners have negotiated mega million and perhaps billion dollar business deals in between periods. That why they have GMs.

bleed4philly - Dec 1, 2012 at 6:54 PM

The players agreed to a 50/50 split plus 393 million to honor players existing contracts. The owners want the 393 included in the 50/50, can’t NBC or TSN just throw that extra amount in the deal? Ed Snider, owner of the Flyers and Comcast, you can’t make that happen buddy?

id4joey - Dec 1, 2012 at 6:55 PM

woodstakes, exactly. To each his own.

rpiotr01 - Dec 1, 2012 at 11:45 PM

Dolan involved in talks = lockout over.

Dolan is a spoiled turd but he’s a business man, and he knows that real business involves, ya know, doing things – to make, to sell etc. He wants to play, he’d help get something done.

Bettman will never allow it.

acieu - Dec 2, 2012 at 12:54 PM

Not sure how a money flush team executive can understand the issues facing St. Louis, Nashville etc. He has no concept of having to manage the expenses and processes needed to keep a mid range or small revenue team alive. Of course if they lop off three or four of the weaker franachises maybe he could add benefit. The fact that he hasn’t built any legacy in NYR is immaterial.